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Synonyms

justifiable

American  
[juhs-tuh-fahy-uh-buhl, juhs-tuh-fahy-] / ˈdʒʌs təˌfaɪ ə bəl, ˌdʒʌs təˈfaɪ- /

adjective

  1. capable of being justified; that can be shown to be or can be defended as being just, right, or warranted; defensible.

    justifiable homicide.
justifiable British  
/ ˈdʒʌstɪˌfaɪəbəl /

adjective

  1. capable of being justified; understandable

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • justifiability noun
  • justifiableness noun
  • justifiably adverb
  • unjustifiable adjective
  • unjustifiableness noun
  • unjustifiably adverb

Etymology

Origin of justifiable

From Middle French, dating back to 1515–25; justify, -able

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Yet there are still questions about Sabalenka's big-game mentality - and with justifiable cause after her latest loss in a major final.

From BBC

Gold’s recent rally is justifiable, says Symeonidi, citing rising geopolitical risks and macroeconomic uncertainty.

From The Wall Street Journal

His description would have been a justifiable interpretation.

From BBC

The ball came off Aina's shoulder and his arm was in a justifiable position for his movement.

From BBC

"There are justifiable reasons why they can't take on that responsibility."

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.